Most Hunterdon municipalities make a contribution out of tax funds to their volunteer fire companies, but Lambertville and East Amwell and Franklin townships separate out those costs and ask voters to approve fire budgets and local property taxes that would support them.

Fire district taxes appear as a separate line on property tax bills. The fire tax reduces the volunteers’ need for fundraisers. However, some still hold events and they all seek donations for various purposes; such as building upgrades and some maintenance.
The elections in Lambertville and East Amwell and Franklin townships will be held Saturday from 2 to 9 p.m.

East Amwell Township

Voters will decide a tax levy of $184,483, $59 higher than last year, as well as two-three year terms on the five-man commission. Voting takes place at the Amwell Valley firehouse in Ringoes.

Incumbents John Chiesa and Jeffrey Luster — a previous commissioner appointed to the board after Jack Balint died in April — seek three-year terms.

This year’s $225,000 budget proposal, which was adopted unanimously by the fire commissioners, would increase spending by $3,100.

Proposed spending is: $14,900 in administration; $79,100 for operations; $36,000 for LOSAP annuities; $25,000 to purchase equipment; and $70,000 as a reserve for future equipment needs.

To offset the $3,100 increase in spending, the plan calls for drawing an additional $3,100, for a total of $28,100, from the fund surplus. That would keep the tax flat.
Last year, the owner of an “average” house valued at $450,000 paid about $105 for the fire tax, roughly $3 less than in 2008.

Franklin Township

This year’s fire district budget is $395,000, said Commissioner Charles Patkochis — the same as last year. Voters will say yes or no to the $305,000 needed to pay for it. That’s down $5,000 from last year.

Two fire commissioners will be elected to three-year terms. Incumbents Bill Enea and Joseph Milcarek both seek re-election.

The election will be held at the firehouse, 67 Quakertown Road.

Twnship officials last year assigned Quakertown Volunteer Emergency Medical Service’s responsibilities to Quakertown Fire. Fire Chief Brad Patkochis says his EMS division has decided against seeking money from the Fire District, even though state law allows it to ask.

Lambertville

Voters will decide a $586,328 fire budget’s $486,149 tax levy, $4,561 higher than last year’s levy. The budget was introduced last year at $578,827 then amended to $633,827 because the commission bought a $55,000 sports utility vehicle as a chief’s car.

Voters at the Justice Center on South Union Street will also decide two uncontested three-year terms, sought by incumbents Bob Brown Jr. and Mitch Ege Sr.

To help keep the tax rate at 6.6 cents per $100 value, the commission would draw $103,322 from the fund balance, $12,062 more than last year. The money is available, said commission secretary Mary Sheppard, because of interest garnered on the $800,000 reserved for the next major equipment purchase.

Last year the 6.6 cent tax rate translated into $245 on the “average” house assessed at $371,729.

Because of the recession, the commissioners have reduced savings toward equipment, by $25,000 last year and another $25,000 this year. That would still leave $200,000 more by the end of the year. Purchases are alternated among the city’s four fire companies, Columbia is next in line and would replace its 1987 pumper truck.

A significant cost increase anticipated this year is for fire hydrants, since the commission expects the city to accept those installed in the Orleans townhouse development on Music Mountain. That could raise the yearly costs for hydrants from $28,000 to $40,000, which includes paying the water company for service.

This year the commission would also start paying a salary to the fire chief — also a position rotated among the fire companies. It has budgeted $3,000 this year for Chief Lester Myers.

The proposal calls for spending $141,878 on administration, $11,101 more than last year, and $244,450 on operations, an increase of $21,400.